Combine having sidehill platform adjustments



. Nov. 22, 1949 M. E. HAMILTON ETAL 2,488,592

I COMBINE HAVING SIDE HILL PLATFORM ADJUSTMENTS Filed Aug. 19, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I a. II 00 no on l lu H| Nov. 22, 1949 E. HAMILTON ET AL CQMBINE HAVING SIDE HILL PLATFORM ADJUSTMENTS ZE 7 ATTORNEY.

Nov: 22, 1949 M. E. HAMILTON ET AL COMBINE HAVING SIDE HILL PLATFORM ADJUSTMENTS Filed Aug. 19, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY.

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Nov. 22, 1949 M. E. HAMILTON ET AL COMBINE HAVING SIDE HILL PLATFORM ADJUSTMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed Aug. 19, 1942 g NTQ Q5 ATTORNEY Nov. 22, 1949 M. E. HAMILTON ETAL COMBINE HAVING .SIDE HILL PLATFORM ADJUSTMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 19, 1942 E; MW

g s. UUjfIlIIi if ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1949 COMBINE HAVING SIDEHILL PLATFORM ADJUSTMENTS Matthew E. Hamilton and Patrick W. Morrissey, Racine, Wis., assignors to J. I. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation Application August 19, 1942, Serial No. 455,302

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to combines or combination harvester threshers and an object thereof is to generally improve the construction and operation of devices of this class.

The principal object is to provide improvements in such devices designed to operate in rolling country and where the fields are hilly enough to interfere with or even prohibit the use of combines of conventional type.

Further objects are to provide such a combine having only two wheels; such a structure including an improved chassis frame arrangement which will be light but strong and sturdy; such an arrangement in which the pull of the tractor used in propelling the combine, and the drag of the combine wheels will be imposed only on the chassis frame, and isolated from the relatively delicate thresher body; novel leveling mechanism; a novel'arrangement of brakes for such a combine; improved connections for the several controls; and improved arrangements for coordinating the harvester or header portion with the thresher or body portion at various inclinations of the ground and facilitating the feeding of material under these several conditions. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings in which a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown, but it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to betaken as limited to the details disclosed but is to be understood to include all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention as herein expressed.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine illustrative of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation of the same with parts removed and others in section and broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the machine in position to operate on a side hill.

Fig. 4 is a detail of certain mechanism indicated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail of certain mechanism indicated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an axial sectional view, taken from the right side, of certain mechanism indicated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of a portion of the same with parts broken away. I

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line l0-l0 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line ll--I l. of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line |2l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13*is a plan view with parts broken away of a modified construction of draw bar.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on the line |4-l4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on the line l5l5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 16 is a left side elevation of a modified type of machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 17 is a left side elevation of certain mechanism indicated in Fig. 3.

As is seen in Fig. 1, the combine is supported onwheels generally designated as W and W supporting an axle structure A, a draw bar structure D being attached to the axle and suported on a tractor I or the like, the latter forming a third point of support for the combine. The structure so far described provides a unitary stable structure for travel over uneven ground and from which the other parts of the machine are supported. A thresher body T is supported on axle A and draw bar structure D and a header or harvester H is supported largely fromaxle A in position to harvest a crop and feed it to body T through a feeder spout F. Header H carries a reel R and the mechanism is operated from an engine E mounted on body T. Beneath body T is suspended a cleaning shoe C and from which leads a clean grain elevator G leading in the present instance to a point above an operating platform P on which the grain may be bagged and from which the various functions of the machine may be controlled. A bag chute B leads from the vicinity of platform P to a point close to the ground and through which the filled bags may be placed on the ground without danger of damage.

Leveling mechanism generally designated as L connects thresher body T with axle A and may be controlled for keeping body T substantially level regardless of the side slope of the ground over which the machine travels.

Hillside combines are made in general so that they can be tilted, or rather the supporting means can be adjusted to keep the combine level as regards lateral or rolling motion, regardless of whether the ground is level or slopes one way or the other. This has been accomplished in varby uprights or struts 26 and 21.

ious ways in the past with cumbersome and expensive mechanism and generally with the use of three or more wheels, articulated axles, and the like. In the present instance, partly by virtue of the novel axle and draw bar construction above outlined, a very simple direct actuating mechanism is possible and which is light, rugged, inexpensive, and extremely effective for the purpose intended. As a result, a hillside type combine can be produced which is small and light enough to be drawn by a small inexpensive tractor. In the past, hillside combines have substantially invariably been very large and required a very heavy tractor for operation. As a result, the average owner of a farm requiring this type of combine would be unable to afford one of his own. By virtue of the present invention, the cost of the combine is not only reduced but also the cost of the motive power necessary to pull it is reduced, and in many instances the reduced size of the combine permits the use of a tractor which the farmer already has. The benefit to grain farmers in the hill country, by virtue of this invention is therefore apparent and material.

Returning to a detailed descriptionof the various parts of the combine, the axle A comprises in general a tube or similar member 20, Fig. 1, truss rod sections 2| and 22, Fig. 3, united by a turnbuckle or suitable adjusting device 23, being in the present instance pivotally connected at 24 and 25 with axle tube 20 and spaced therefrom Axle tube 20 is thus braced against sagging under the weight of the several attached parts.

Tube 28 has united therewith, in any suitable manner, fittings 28 and 28 preferably in the form of yokes as indicated in Fig. 1 having pivoted thereto as by pins 3|! and 3|, Fig. 3, stub axle elements 32 and 33 on which are journaled in suitable or well-known manner above mentioned wheels W and W Wheels W and W include brake units generally designated as 34 and 35 respectively. The latter being of well-known automotive type, need not be further described except to say that they include actuating cables 36 and 31, the operation of which will be described presently. Stub axles 32 and 33 include in the present instance downwardly extending arms 38 and 39 actuated by drag links" generally designated as 40 and 4| respectively to control the position of wheels W and W relatively to axle A in a manner which will appear shortly.

Axle A has united therewith in any suitable manner in the present instance tubular draw bar elements 42 and 43, Fig. 1, united at their forward ends by a plate 44 thus forming with axle A a rugged triangular unit carried on wheels W and W and tractor I. A unit is thus provided comprising axle A and draw bar D which may operate on extreme side slopes by virtue of the relatively wide spread of wheels W and W and from which may be supported in an adjustable manner the other necessary units of the combine.

Various modes of attachment to tractor I are contemplated, but in the present instance, a yielding connection as shown in Figs. 1, 11 and 12 is shown. Plate 44 is spaced from a similar plate 45 by a tubular reinforcement 46, the whole being united as by welding to form a solid joining means for tubes 42 and 43. In the present instance beneath plates 44 and 45 a yoke-like member 4! is united with tubes 42 and 43 and carries a fulcrum pin 48 maintained in place as by a nut 49. Pivoted on pin 48 is a lever 59 prefnil erably of channel section and having at its forward end a loop or eye portion 5| for attachment to tractor I. At its rear end lever 5|l is connected with a rod or bolt member 52 in the present instance provided with a head 53 and a nut 54. Nut 54 bears against a washer or cap 55 resting against a spring 56 which in turn rests on a cross piece or brace 51 united with tubes 42- and 43. Thus the weight of the front end 01' draw bar D imposed on fulcrum 48 and resisted at 5| by tractor I will rock lever 50 and pull downwardly on bolt 52 tending to compress spring 53. The flexibility of spring 56 will thus cushion any shocks imparted to the structure by travel of the tractor or wheels W and W over uneven ground.

When draw bar D is traveling at a substantial angle to the horizontal, the weight imposed on fulcrum 48 will cause a substantial side thrust on lever 50. In the present instance the rear end "of lever 50 is braced against misalignment from such side thrustby means of a guide member 56 comprising a substantially U-shaped element depending from above mentioned brace 51.

Member 58 may be united with brace 51 in any suitable manner as by welding and diagonal braces 59 and 60 are preferably extended from the sides of member 58 to adjacent tubes 42 and 43 respectively. The rear end of lever 50 is thus prevented from swinging sidewise while being free for up-and-down movement.

Obviously, when the machine is operating on a side hill, axle A will tilt into a position such that it is inclined to substantially the same degree as the hill. It is important, however, that thresher body T remain as nearly as possible in a vertical plane transverse to axle A. Body T, therefore, is mounted so that it may be tilted from side to side relatively to axle A, or more properly so that it may be caused to remain in a vertical plane while axle A tilts from side to side.

Referring to Fig. 1, thresher body T is supported at two points on the triangular unit formed by axle A and draw bar D, in the present instance spaced longitudinally of body T. Thus at a point substantially over axle A, as seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, body T is supported on a pivot generally designated as 6|. Thresher body T in the present instance is built up of elements of well-known form, not necessary to describe in detail, and a large portion of the weight thereof is concentrated in a cross member 62. A pivot pin or bolt 63 traverses cross member 62 and in the present instance is journaled in a bearing portion 64 carried by a portion of above mentioned strut or upright 26. Strut 26 is braced against side thrust, caused by the angle of strut 26 when the machine is traveling on a side hill, by braces 65 and 66. Thresher body T may be readily balanced on pivot 63 insofar as sidewise tilting is concerned.

Spaced from pivot 6| and near the front of the machine is a pivot generally designated as 61- so disposed as to be substantially on a level with pivot 6| when the machine is on level ground.

As more particularly seen in Fig. 5, draw bar tubes 42 and 4-3 are united by a cross member 68 at a point adjacent the extreme front end of thresher body T. Cross member 68 is united with tubes 42 and 43 in any suitable manner as by welding and carries an upright 69 having journaled therein a pivot or bolt 10. Bolt 18 traverses ears as H depending in the present instance from a yoke member 12 extending downwardly on either side of upright 69 into connection with angle irons or similar members 13 and 14, forming the sills of above mentioned thresher body T.

Upright 68 is braced to tubes 42 and 43 by diagonal braces and 18 respectively. In this manner, pivot 81 is very strongly fixed in its relation to tubes 42 and 43. In this manner, thresher body T is suspended or supported on spaced pivots 8| and 81 and is stabilized or rocked from side to sideby leveling mechanism L as will appear.

It is noted that pivots 6| and 81 are located substantially the same distance above the ground and that the common center line of the pivots passes through thresher body T substantially above sills 13 and 14. This gives superior feeding relations under side hill operation as will appear.

As above stated, drag links 48 and' M control arms 38 and 38, Fig. 3, and accordingly wheels W and W In order to do this, a plate or arm 11 is fixed in the present instance with cross member 82 and extends downwardly to a pivot pin 18 to which are pivoted above mentioned drag links 48 and 4|. Tilting of thresher body T about pivot 83 will accordingly actuate drag links 48 and 4| and rock levers 38 and 33. The centers of pivotal attachment are so chosen that wheels W and W will remain substantially in planes parallel to the plane of thresher body T. Thus, in operation on a side hill, wheels W and W and thresher body T are readily maintained in a vertical plane regardless of the tilting of axle A. This maintains the base of support, namely the space between the points of contact of wheels W and W with the ground, substantially in a constant relation to the center of gravity of the machine, or at least the major portion of the machine, so that it remains safe and stable throughout the extreme range of angular adjustment of the parts. Furthermore, the weight of the machine is imposed on wheels W and W in vertical planes so that there is no substantial side thrust to be resisted by said wheels.

The position or attitude of thresher body T and accordingly wheels W and W is controlled by leveling mechanism L. This mechanism comprises a telescopic or collapsible element connected between thresher body T and axle A and in the present instance is in the form of a screw 18 connected through a gear box 88 and a yoke element generally designated as 8| with axle A and having a nut portion generally designated as 82 connected through a bracket 83 with thresher body T. Rotation of screw 18 will therefore run nut 82 either up or down on screw 18 thereby changing the relation between thresher body T and axle A. I

As more particularly seen in Fig. l, bracket 83 comprises a plurality of cross members 84 and-85 between which nut portion 82 is engaged, and members 84 and 85, as seen in Fig. 2, are braced by struts 86 and 81 to sill 13 to form a strong connection to thresher body T. Screw 19 and its attached parts thus comprise telescopic means extended between the thresher body and the axle and capable of lengthening or shortening to maintain the thresher body level regardless of the tilting of axle A. Other telescopic means than a screw is contemplated since a number of the advantages of the invention could be realized by other forms of connection between thresher body Tand axle A or draw bar D for leveling the machine.

Returning'to a more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, screw 18 as seen in Fig. 8 is threaded only part of its length and extends into gear box 88, being journaled in bearing portions 88 and 88. At its lower end it has a thrust plate 88 fixed thereon as by a nut Ill and engaged between bearing portion 88 and a cap or closure 82. Screw 18 is thus prevented from moving axially in gear box 88. A shaft 83 is journaled in a bearing portion 84 of gear box 88 and carries a bevel gear 85. Shaft 83 also carries a sprocket or the like 88 which is driven from above mentioned engine E as will appear. Bevel gear 85 drives bevel gears 81 and 88 journaled in gear box 88 concentrically with screw 18, gears 81 and 88 rotating in opposite directions as is common in gears of this type. Gear 81 is provided with clutch teeth 88 while gear 88 is provided with clutch teeth I88 for alternative engagement with similar teeth on clutch element I8 I, slidably keyed to screw member 18. Engagement of clutch member |8I with gear 81 will result in rotation of screw 18 in one direction and engagement of clutch |8| with gear 88 will result in rotation of the screw in the opposite direction. Clutch I8I also has a neutral position in which gears 81 and 88 rotate idly without affecting screw 19.

Clutch member |8| as more particularly seen in Fig. 9, has a shipper element I82 engaged therewith and fixed with a shifter rod I83 guided for sliding movement up and down in gear box 88. Rod I83 is controlled in position by means of a lever I84 'having a pin and slot connection at I85 with rod I83. Lever I84 is fulcrumed at I86 on a bracket I81 fixed with gear box 88 and bends downwardly to a pivotal connection I88 with an actuating rod I88 by which clutch I8I may be shifted. A detent I|8 pressed by a spring III engages notches as I I2 in shipper rod I83 to yieldingly maintain clutch member MI in shifted position.

Nut member 82 may be constructed in several ways within the contemplation of the invention,

- in the present instance a generally spherical nut H3, Fig. 8, being threaded on screw 18 and pivotally held between portions 4 and N5 of a ringlike member having trunnions H6 and I I1. Portions I I4 and 5 preferably provide a part spherical inner surface, and are united about nut portion I I 3 in any suitable or well-known manner providing a ball and socket joint between the nut and ring. Trunnions H6 and 1 are journaled in bearing portions 8 and H8 respectively, on bracket portions 84 and 85. Ring portions H4 and H5 may accordingly rock appreciably relatively to portions 84 and 85 in the swinging motion of leveling mechanism L as it follows the tilting of axle A.

Structures of this character are inherently flexible in all directions and for this reason a certain amount of swinging motion of leveling mechanism L may be experienced in the plane of trunnions H8 and I I1. This is readily accommodated by shifting of nut portion 3 in ring portions 4 and H5. To prevent turning of nut portion I I3 with screw 18, ball portion II 3 has recesses I28 and I2I, spuds I22 and I 23, respectively on ring portions I I4 and I I5 fitting loosely into recesses I28 and |2I. Thus rotation of nut or ball portion I I3 is positively prevented while rocking of the same is possible in any direction.

Gear box 88, as will be apparent, shares any rocking movement of screw 18, and for this purpose is provided with a trunnion I24 which together with bearing portion 84, forms a pivotal mounting for gear box 88 in above mentioned yoke element 8|. Thus gear box 88 may rock toward and away from thresher body T. Yoke portion 8| comprises side brackets I25 and I26 bolted or otherwise fixed to a base portion I21,

Base portion I21 has downwardly extending ears I28 and I29, Fig. 9, through which extends a pivot shaft I30. Pivot shaft I30 also traverses upstanding ears I3I and I32 bolted or otherwise flxed with brackets I33 and I34 respectively fixed, for example by welding, with axle A. Yoke portion 8| may therefore rock in a plane transverse to the plane in which gear box 80 rocks about bearing 84 and trunnion I24. This accommodates slight misalignment of the parts caused by weaving or springing of the structure as above suggested in connection with nut 82. Thus with sprocket 98 continuously rotating, it is possible at any time to correct the position or attitude of thresher T, by shifting rod I09 in one or the other direction.

To guard against inadvertent over-travel of mechanism L, a limit control rod I33 is pivoted at I34 to above mentioned lever I04 and has collars I35 and I38 in position to be contacted by a plate or trip I31 flxed in the present instance with bracket member 85, and slidable on rod I33. The pitch of screw 19 and the direction of rotation of sprocket 88 are such that downward movement of rod I33 will result when clutch IN is shifted to produce upward movement of nut portion 82. Thus if the parts are so shifted, and not returned to neutral, trip I31 will ultimately contact collar I35 raising rod I33 and returning clutch IN to neutral position. As will be apparent, an analogous action will take place if the parts are shifted to produce downward movement of nut portion 82, trip member I31 contacting collar I38. Under these conditions, collar I38 will have been raised and downward movement thereof will also shift clutch IM to neutral position. In normal operation trip I31 will not ordinarily travel far enough to contact either of collars I35 or I38 but in the event of an emergency the leveling or trimming action will be automatically stopped before damage can be caused to the mechanism.

In the present instance screw 18 is protected against dirt and the like by a housing I38 threaded for example on a boss I38 on nut portion I33, housing I38 extending upwardly to or beyond the extreme upward travel of screw 18 and being closed by a plug or the like I40. Screw 19 is also housed between nut portion H3 and gear box 80 by a series of telescopic housing sections I4I, I42 and I43. Section MI is threaded on a boss I44 on nut portion 3 and has an inwardly extending collar or flange portion I45 engageable with an upwardly extending flange portion I48 on above mentioned section I42. In similar manner, section I42 has an upwardly extending flange portion I41 engageable with an outwardly extendlng flange portion I48 on above mentioned section I43. It is thus impossible for sections I4 I, I42 and I43 to become separated and their combined length is greater than the extreme spacing between nut portion 82 and gear box 80. Section I43 is threaded or otherwise suitably fixed with bearing portion 88 of gear box 80.

Clutch IN is controlled from above mentioned platform P, a lever I49, Fig. 6, being fulcrumed at I50 on a bracket II carried by platform P. An arm I52 of lever I48 has pivoted thereto at I53 a link I54 extending to a pivotal connection I55 with a guide lever I58 (see also Fig. 7). Guide lever I58 is pivoted at I51 to thresher body T and serves to maintain pivotal connection I55 in the immediate region of the common center line of pivots 8| and 81. Pivotal connection I55 also carries a link I58 pivoted at I58 to a bell.

crank I fulcrumed at I8I on a cross member I82 suitably fixed with above mentioned tubes 42 and-43. Bell crank I80 is pivoted at I82 to above mentioned rod I08. Movement of lever I48 from side to side will accordingly push or pull on rod I08 and shift clutch IOI so as to engage the leveling mechanism for correcting the attitude of thresher body T as above described.

By virtue of the connection of link I54 to guide lever I58, substantially on the center line of pivots SI and 81, the shifting of axle A and accordingly of cross member I82 will not affect the relation of lever I49 to clutch IOI in gear box 80 to any appreciable extent. It will now be apparent that thresher body T can be maintained approximately level while axle A tilts to follow the contour of the ground. Header H on the contrary is required to follow the ground contour and accordingly may be supported directly from axle A.

As seen in Fig. 1, axle A is provided with brackets I83 and I84 to which are pivotally connected arms I85 and I88. Arms I85 and I88 are united by a tubular brace I61 and a diagonal brace I88 extends from arm I88 outwardly and forward- 1y into supporting relation with header or platform H. Arm I85 extends directly into supporting relation with header H. Tubular brace I81 also engages diagonal arm I88 and unites the whole into a substantially rigid system pivoted to brackets I83, and I84. Header H accordingly may be raised or lowered by swinging of arms I85 and I88 on brackets I83 and I84, but in any of its adjusted positions header H will remain approximately parallel to axle A. Header H represents an appreciable amount of over-hanging weight and for substantially counterbalancing this, a weight IE8 is carried on a lever I89 having arms I10 and HI fixed with a fulcrum member I12 journaled in brackets I13 and I14 extending forwardly and upwardly from axle A and rigidly fixed therewith. Arms I10 and HI are connected by links I15 and I18 with above mentioned tubular brace I81. The bifurcation of lever I89 provides for distributing the considerable upward pull more or less uniformly over the structure represented by braces I85, I88 and I81 and I88.

To provide for reducing the size of the machine for transport conditions, braces I85 and I88 are provided with flange joints or the like I11 and I18 respectively, so that header H may be readily removed and carried in some other manner to narrow the machine.

For controlling the height of header H, an arm I18 extends inwardly and forwardly from header H and is pivotally connected at I80 with a rack element I8I extending upwardly to a point above platform P where it engages a toothed wheel or pinion I82, Fig. 6, mounted on a shaft I83 and 'journaled in a bearing I84, Fig. 2. Bearing I84 in the present instance is carried on an upright I85 constituting part of a railing generally designated as I88 about platform P. A brace I81 also extends up from platform P and serves to brace railing I88 and to assist in the support of bearing I84. Shaft I83 carries a tiller wheel I88 by which pinion I82 may be rotated to move rake element I8I up or down as necessaary, the latter having a series of holes I88 for engaging the teeth of pinion I82. Shaft I83 also carries a notched plate I80 engaged by a spring pressed detent I9I slidable in a fitting I92 carried by members I85 and I81. Tiller wheel I88 and pinion I82 are thereby prevented from being inadvertently rotated by reason of the action of header H. Detent I8I may be removed from the notches in plate I80 by means aware:

tained in operative engagement with pinion I82 by means of a guide member I96 disposed about the rack bar and Journaled on shaft I89. In this manner a limited amount of misalignment is possible between pinion I82 and rack bar I8I without impairing the operation of the'parts.

Header H includes the usual cutter bar generally designated as I91 having a plurality of guards I99 and a sickle I99 actuated by a pitman 288 from a crank 28I. It also includes an apron or draper 282 having a plurality of slats 283 and guide buttons 284. Apron 282 travels over a roller 285 journaled at the grain end of header H, then inwardly toward thresher body T in a plane substantially parallel to the ground. It then passes beneath guide members 286 and 281 and upwardly through feeder spout F and over a roller 288, Fig. 10. Roller 288 is driven from the combine mechanism as will appear and thereby pulls apron 282 in the direction indicated, the slack side of apron 282 returning to the under side of roller 285. In this manner, a continuous surface for conducting the grain into thresher body T is provided. The weight of grain on the upper run of apron 282 assists in easing the upward pressure against guides 286 and 281. Feeder spout F is hinged at 289, Fig. 3, to header H so that the spout may change its angle relatively to the header and remain in feeding relation to a feeder house portion 2 I8 of thresher body T.

Feeder spout F also carries rollers 2H and 2I2 about which is directed an apron 2I3 having slats '2. In the present instance roller 2I I is driven in the direction indicated from the combine mechanism and propels the underside of apron 2I3 in contact with the grain being elevated on above mentioned apron 282. As seen in Fig. 10, it will be apparent that the tilting of axle A and header H in effect will be about the common center-line of the pivots 6| and 61 indicated as 2I5 in Fig. 10. This results in a. relatively small amount of movement between feeder spout F and feeder housing 2I8. It will be obvious from Fig. 10 that a lower position of the pivot or center-line 2I5 would cause a much larger movement of feeder spout F in feeder housing 2I8 with a given angular movement of axle A.

Feeder spout F is also affected by raising and lowering of header H through tiller wheel I88. In the present instance, feeder spout F rests, through a cam element 2I8, on a roller 2l1 carried in the present instance by an upright 2I8 fixed with tubular draw bar element 43. In this way the weight of feeder spout F is removed from any part of thresher housing T and with it any tendency to rack the latter. In the event of downward adjustment of header H, an increase in angle between the latter and feeder spout F would occur. However, owing to the angle of cam portion 2IB, and the outward shifting of header spout F resulting from such movement, cam portion 2 I 6 will move to a position on roller 2 I 1 which will tend to reduce the angle of header spout F. The aggregate result will be that feeder spout F will increase its angle somewhat but not to the extent that it would if cam portion 2I6 were omitted.

Passing now to the threshing mechanism, the severed grain flows into feeder house portion 2I8 as seen in Fig. 2 between roller 288 and 2I2 and is carried rearwardiy by a raddle of well-known 10 construction generally designated as 2I9. A rotary beater 228 of well-known construction urges the material from raddle 2I9 against a threshing cylinder 22I of suitable form in the present instance of the well-known spike tooth type. Cylinder 22I is provided with a concave 222, grain falling through concave 222 being carried by a rake or raddle 223 rearwardly and upwardly. Raddle 223 also receives straw discharged from cylinder HI and which is intercepted by a down beater 224. The material carried rearwardly by raddle 223 is also agitated by a beater 225 and is then passed by raddle 223 over a relatively slowly rotating rod drum comprising a head 226 carrying a series of rods 221 forming a cage-like structure rotatable with a shaft 228. In this manner the straw is loosely supported and grain is given a chance to separate and fall through between the rods 221. From rod drum 221 the remaining material is deposited on a raddle 229 and transported to a second raddle 238 from which is is discharged at the rear of the machine. Straw on raddle 229 is agitated further by heaters 23I and 232. Grain transported by raddle 223 and also grain falling through rod drum 221 and raddle 229 is received on an upper sieve 233 of above mentioned cleaning shoe C, the grain falling through in well-known manner and also through lower sieves 234. Said grain is intercepted by a pan 235 and conducted to a clean grain auger 236 from which it is elevated by clean grain elevator G to a bagging spout of well-known form 231. Unthreshed heads or tailings pass to the rear of sieves 233 and 234 and are directed by the outer casing 239 of shoe C into tailings auger 239 from which they are transported by a tailings elevator 248 to be 'retumed to cylinder 22I in well-known manner.

As is well-known, the sieves in the cleaning shoe must be maintained substantially level at all times and, insofar as lateral slope is concerned, this is cared for by the leveling of the threshing mechanism as a whole through above mentioned lever I49. However, it is often impossible to avoid heading the machine up or down hill to some extent, and to compensate for this, cleaning shoe C is automatically adjusted. Thus, the shoe is built on a frame generally designated as 2 (see also Fig. 15) which in the present instance is pivotally supported on the axis of a shaft 242 constituting the power input shaft for shoe C. A pendulum 243 having a weight 244 is pivoted at 245 to thresher body T and has an arm 246 pivotally connected by a link 241 to a point 248' displaced from shaft 242. Downward tilting of thresher body T will therefore be corrected by relative forward swinging of pendulum 243 and downward movement of link 241. This will cause counterclockwise rotation of shoe C about shaft 242, which will compensate for the downward tilting of the remainder of the combine. Grain auger 236 and tailings auger 239 are carried in a framework generally designated as 249 depending from thresher body T and entirely independent of shoe C. Therefore, they do not interfere with the swinging of the shoe under the influence of pendulum 243.

Variations in the details of construction of shoe C, are contemplated, but in the present instance frame portion 24I is fixed in any suitable manner as by a flange 258 with a tubular brace 25I which will be understood as extending across the shoe and uniting the two sides of frame 24 I. Brace 25I is journaled in bearings as 252 carried on sills 13 and 14. The remaining parts of shoe C including fan housing 253 are all supported from frame 2 and accordingly swing about tubular brace 25! in bearings 252. Brace 25f has bushings 253 in which is journaled above mentioned shaft 242. Brace 25l and shaft 242 accordingly are concentric and whereby shoe may swing about the center of power input shaft 242.

The several mechanisms of shoe C are reciprocated from shaft 242, the latter having in the present instance a sprocket or the like 254 having a crank pin 255 actuating through a pitman 255 a rocker arm 251. Rocker arm 251 in the present instance is fixed with a shaft 258 journaled in suitable bearings 258 on a portion of frame 2. Shaft 258 has a plurality of arms 258 connected by a shaft 25f onwhich is supported above mentioned sieve 233. A second pitman 252 connects to a lever 253 fulcrumed on frame 2 and connected by a pivot 254 with a portion of housing 238. In this manner, housing 238 is reciprocated in one direction while upper sieve 233 moves in the opposite direction, it being understood that the pitman and other parts are duplicated on the opposite side of shoe C. Thus the inertia forces developed by the reciprocation of these parts approximately cancel each other and the reciprocating movements can take place without undue vibration. Furthermore, the power input to sprocket 254 can be accomplished without interference from relative tilting movement of shoe C.

Also the relation of the blast from fan 253 to ger 255 extending from platform P and in the present instance is suspended at its lower end on chains 251 and 258 spaced apart by a spreader 258. Chains 251 and 258 in the present instance are connected to a cable 218 passing over a sheave 21l suitably supported above spreader 258, and across thresher body T and a sheave 212 to an anchorage 213 on axle A. When anchorage 213 on axle A rises due to the tilting of the axle, the lower end of bag chute B is lowered to avoid an excessive drop between the end thereof and the ground. On the other hand, when axle A is tilted in the opposite direction, the end of bag chute B is raised so as to avoid striking the ground.

Bag chute B has an end gate 214 partly automatic in character and which operates as follows. End gate 214 is pivoted at 215 to a body portion 215 of bag chute B and has arms 211 rigidly fixed therewith, the two being identical only one of which is shown. Pivoted to arms 211 are links 218 extending rearwardly of the bag chute and having notches engaging pins or the like 218. Pins 218 are fixed with body portion 215 as by means of fittings 258. Springs 28! pull on links 218 in a direction to maintain end gate 214 in closed position and also to tend to swing the links downwardly into engagement with pins 218. Springs 28l are anchored on a frame-work generally designated as 282 and are so proportioned as to be powerful enough to sustain end gate 214 when there is no load in body portion 215. When a plurality of bags are in body portion 215, however, end gate 214 is sustained by links 218 engaged with pins 218. When it is desired to release the load, a pull on a rope 283 causes a swinging movement of a lever 284 pivoted at 285 to a portion of body 215, raising arms 285 which contact and raise links 218 and release them from pins 218. The weight of the bags in chute 215 then overcomes springs 28f and forces end gate 214 to open position. A plurality of runners 281 and 288 form a part of end gate 214, swinging down and providing a path for the grain bags substantially all the way to the ground. As soon as the last bag is clear of runners 281 and 288, springs 28l overcome the weight of end gate 214 and swing it into closed position whereupon links 218 return into engagement with pins 218 thus locking the end gate in position to resolve another load.

The various drives to the several operative parts may be of any suitable type within the contemplation of the invention, drives on combines being largely conventional and well known. However, certain features apparently novel will be illustrated and described. In the present instance, engine E has a pulley 288, Fig. 1, driving through a belt 288, a pulley 28l on a shaft 282, constituting the axis of 'cylinder 22l. Shaft 282 on the right side of the machine drives, through a chain 283 and appropriate sprockets, above mentioned beater 224. Beater 224 has a shaft 284 passing through to the left side of the machine and driving, through a chain or the like 285, above mentioned beater 228 and a shaft 285 actuating above mentioned raddle 2 I 8. Chain 285 also drives a shaft 281 passing through to the right side of the machine. Shaft 285 drives, through a chain or the like 283, above mentioned tailings elevator 248. Tailings elevator 248 drives in well-known manner tailings auger 238. Tailings auger 238 has a shaft 288 which drives, through a chain 388, Fig. 1, a shaft 38f constituting the axis of above mentioned clean grain auger 235. Auger 235 drives clean grain auger G in well-known manner. Shaft 284 also drives, through a chain or the like 382, above mentioned sprocket 254, beater 225 and rod drum 221.

Shaft 242 passes entirely through tubular brace 25l and drives on the left sid of the machine, through a chain 383, a shaft 384 constituting the axis of fan 253. The drives to raddles 223, 228 and heaters 23f and 232 being conventional in character and forming no part of the invention, are not shown in the interests of avoiding complication.

Above mentioned shaft 281, Fig. 1, extends into a gear box 385 and drives, through bevel gears and a tumbler shaft generally designated as 385 of well-known form, a shaft 381. Shaft 381, Fig. 3, drives, through a sprocket 388 and chain 388 or the like, above mentioned sprocket and a sprocket 3I8 on a shaft 3| I, an idler 3I2 being interposed for adjusting and other purposes. Shaft 3, as seen in Fig. 1, drives, through a tumbler shaft 3i3, a shaft 3 constituting the axis of above mentioned crank 281 on header H. Shaft 28! also drives, through a chain or the like 315, above mentioned roller 288. Chain 3l5 also drives above mentioned roller 2| I, Fig. 10, and a sprocket 3l5 constituting a drive to above mentioned reel R which, being of well-known form need not be further described. 7

Platform P is equipped with brake pedals 311 and 3I8 having outwardly projecting arms 3I8 and 328 connected by links 32! and 322 with guide levers 323 and 324 respectively. After the manner of above described guide lever I55, guide lever 324 connects link 32! with a link 325 leading to a bell crank 325 pivoted on above mentioned cross member I52 and connecting with above mentioned brake actuating cable 31. In similar manner link 322 is connected by guide lever 323 with a link 321 leading to a bell crank 328, also pivoted on cross member I52 and connecting with above mentioned brake actuating cable 35. It will now be apparent that an operator on seat 323 can operate either or both brakes 35 and 36 as necessary for complete control of the combine. Tilting of axle A relatively to thresher body T will have no appreciable efieot on this control because of the relation of guide levers 323 and 324 to the center-line oi pivots 6| and 61, as explained in connection with theoperation of leveling control 9.

In extremely hilly country th tractor will sometimes tilt sharply before wheels W and W reach the sloping portion of the ground. For this situation, a modified draw bar construction as seen in Figs. 13 and 14 is used. In above mentioned reinforcing tube 46 is journaled a shank portion 330 having a head 33l to which is pivotally attached a loop 332 as by a pin 333. Shank 330 is prevented from being pulled out of tube 46 by means of a nut 334. A strong connection is thereby supplied and which allows unlimited tilting between draw bar portion D and tractor I.

Under some conditions, it is preferred to store the harvested grain in bulk rather than in bags. For this purpose, a modified arrangement as seen in Fig. 16 is provided. The parts of this machine correspond substantially with those of Figs. 1 and 2 but clean grain elevator G discharges into a bin 335, carried above thresher body T' and in the present instance located somewhat ahead of the center of wheel W Bin 335 is located centrally over thresher body T or in the longitudinal plane thereof so that th load in bin 335 will not tend to unbalance thresher body T, but will merely impose a slight additional load on tractor I. Bin 335 may be unloaded in any suitable or well-known manner, in the present instance being provided with a spout 335 through which the grain is discharged mechanically or otherwise in well-known manner.

The operation of the machine is thought to be clear from the above description but it is pointed out that the extreme stress developed by the pull of the tractor and the reaction against cutter bar I91 are never imposed on the thresher body but are carried entirely in draw bar portion D and axle A to which header H is connected as described. Thresher body T rides freely pivoted on axle A and draw bar D at two thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle, a spout support on said draw bar, and a feeder spout carried partly on-said header and partly on said spout support, independently of any contact with.

said thresher body and extending from said header into said thresher body.

3. In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a header and conveyor rake mounted thereon and maintained thereby substantially in parallel relation to the ground traversed by said axle, a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar having pivot members thereon with pivots spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher body intermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, and means connected to the axle and to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle, said header having a feeder spout supported thereon independently of any contact with said thresher body, and projecting within the confines of said thresher body to a point from which the distance to said common center line is less than half the width of said thresher body at said point.

4. In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a header and conveyor rake points, and accordingly is relieved of all distortion and strain which might. be caused by the pull of the tractor. A superior construction of less cost is accordingly provided than that of hillside combines as heretofore constructed.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a header and conveyor rake mounted thereon, a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar having pivot members thereon with pivots'spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher body intermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, and means connected to the axle and to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle.

2: In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said mounted thereon, wheels supporting the axle, a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar having pivot members thereon with pivots spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher bodyintermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, means connected to the axle and to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle, hinge connections between the wheels and axle and including pivots which extend substantially in the direction of travel of the combine, said hinge connections disposed substantially within the confines of their respec tive wheels, spindles for said wheels carried by said pivots, and arms extending substantially vertically from said spindles, an arm extending substantially vertically from said thresher body, links connecting the arm on the thresher body with the arms on said spindles, said arms being disposed parallel to each other and of a common length, whereby said wheels will be adjusted to angles relative to said axle corresponding with the angle to which said thresher body is adjusted.

5.'In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a header and conveyor rake mounted thereon, a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar having pivot members thereon with pivots spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher body intermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, and means connected to the axle and to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots comprising a screw mechanism and a reverse gear for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle.

6. In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a header and conveyor rake mounted thereon. a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar'having pivot members thereon with pivots spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher body intermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, and means connected to the axleand to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots and substantLally in a plane normal to the direction of travel of the combine and passing through one of the pivot members for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle.

7. In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a header. and conveyor rake mounted thereon, wheels supporting the axle, a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar having pivot members thereon with pivots spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher body intermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, means connected to the axle and to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle, an operator's platform on the combine, brakes individual to said wheels and controls individual to said brakes and extended to said platform for actuation by an operator stationed thereon.

8. In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a header and conveyor rake mounted thereon, a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar having pivot members thereon with pivots spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher body intermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, means connected to the axle and to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle, an operator's platform on the combine, a control on the platform, mechanism on the axle responsive to said control, and connections extended between said mechanism and said platform including a plurality of links extending substantially through said longitudinal axis and having a pivotal connection substantially on said longitudinal axis, whereby relative rocking between said thresher body and said axle will cause pivotal movement between said links at said pivot connection, but will be without effect as to the relation between said control and said mechanism. Y

9. In a hillside combine the combination of an axle transverse to the direction of travel of said combine having a headerv and conveyor rake mounted thereon, a draw bar attached to the axle and having connection to a tractor, said axle and draw bar consituting a unit having pivot members thereon with pivots spaced thereabove, a thresher body mounted on said pivots and rockable thereabout, said pivots being disposed on a common center line passing through a portion of the thresher body intermediate the vertical limits thereof and extending in the direction of travel of the combine, means connected to the axle and to the thresher body at a point spaced vertically from the pivots for rocking the thresher body and adjusting its angle relatively to the axle, a bag chute pivoted at one end to one side of the thresher body and having the other end free, and a connection from said bag chute leading across said thresher body and connected to said axle unit on the opposite side of said thresher body from said bag chute, whereby said bag chute will be --lowered when the point of attachment of said connection with said axle unit rises, and

raised when said point of attachment lowers, to maintain said bag chute a predetermined distance above the ground in spite of changes in the slope thereof.

MATTHEW E. HAMILTON. PATRICK W. MORRISSEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 457,185 Davis Aug. 4, 1891 764,205 Reynolds July 5, 1904 905,985 Clove Dec. 8, 1908 916,884 Martyn Mar. 30, 1909 1,323,502 Thomas et a1. Dec. 2, 1919 1,469,157 Kast Sept. 25, 1923 1,542,126 Harris June 16, 1925 1,735,950 Brasch Nov. 19, 1929 1,847,530 Heyden Mar. 1, 1932 1,853,221 Pierson Apr. 12, 1932 1,959,689 Ronning May 22, 1934 2,040,699 Lindgren May 12, 1936 2,044,139 Welty June 16, 1936 2,273,666 Smith Feb. 17, 1942 2,293,328 Coburn Aug. 18, 1942 

